Automatic seamless branching story-telling apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic story-telling apparatus includes a storage media having temporally parallel data storage tracks containing story content. The story content is stored on each of the temporally parallel tracks in successive information segments. The information is stored on the tracks in a predetermined timed sequence for providing story content varying dependent upon the temporally parallel tracks that are automatically selected during playback. A controller reads random switching control code information from the media and randomly switches between the tracks of the storage media for enabling automatic random playback of the story content. The command codes may also include memory storage commands and memory switching commands so as to maintain continuity of story characters, plot-lines, etc., once they are randomly chosen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a story-telling apparatus, and more particularly to a story-telling apparatus that utilizes pre-recorded multi-track media to store stories, and that randomly and seamlessly transitions between the tracks of the media at predetermnined points in the story so as to randomly change the story being told in order to provide maximum entertainment and educational benefit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Telling stories is a timeless method of entertaining and educating children, and for challenging their imaginations. The most common story-telling method is book reading. For younger children, reading requires the involvement of the child's parent, which is often inconvenient for the parent. Moreover, stories in books are stagnant, i.e., the story characters, plot lines, and ending do not change.

Using modem multi-media techniques and computers, stories can now be migrated to CD-ROM's and the like. Such multi-media stories permit music and sounds to make stories more realistic and, in some instances, enable the characters to become interactive. Multi-media techniques even permit the child to interact with and alter the outcome of the story. Typically, a computer must be used to play such multi-media stories, involving great cost and requiring the ability to read in order to operate the computer equipment. Beside the cost of the computer, such stories may only be played by the child at the computer location, which is generally not removable from this location (i.e., non-portable). Also, interactive multi-media stories may not be played by children too young to safely operate the computer. computer, such stories may only be played by the child at the computer location, which is generally not removable from this location (i.e., non-portable). Also, interactive multi-media stories may not be played by children too young to safely operate the computer.

Accordingly, a need exists for a relatively inexpensive portable automatic apparatus that is capable of telling stories to children and that includes the ability to seamlessly and randomly vary the story so as to maintain the interest of the child and to enhance the entertainment and educational value of the story. Stories that can seamlessly change and automatically alter themselves will garner greater motivation to listen by a child, challenge their imaginations more, and be more educational.

Systems that engage in interactive conversation using a multi-track media are well known in the art. For example, commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,947,972 and 4,078,316, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose a conversational teaching apparatus which employs a time synchronized multi-track audio tape to store educational conversation messages. This device employs one or more tracks to relay interrogatories to a user. The tracks are then used, selectable by a manual switching mechanism, to convey responsive messages.

Commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,313,510 and 5,340,317, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, improved upon the earlier conversational system by programming conversations on a magnetic media in a decision-tree logic which allowed complex conversations to be developed using the multi-track media. The information is stored on each track in a plurality of reproducible information segments which contain interrogatory messages and associated multiple choice responses, responsive messages, informational messages, and combinations thereof. The responsive messages contained on the tracks are related in real-time and content to particular interrogatory messages on the tracks, and correspond with multiple choice selectable responses. The apparatus could exhibit pseudomemory and multiple simultaneous pseudo-memories; exhibit profiling and substitutability; and categorize and subcategorize users of the apparatus.

Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/749,345, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, further improved the use of interactive multi-track media by utilizing voice recognition to recognize answers to interrogatories to provide switching between tracks of the media.

These existing systems are all interactive, i.e., they require user input to create the transition between tracks of the multi-track media. Accordingly, these systems do not meet the aforementioned need for a relatively inexpensive dedicated apparatus that is capable of telling stories to children and that includes the ability to seamlessly, randomly and automatically, without input from the child, vary the story so as to maintain the interest of the child and to enhance the entertainment and educational value of the story-telling apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a story-telling apparatus which includes a storage media having a plurality of temporally related data storage tracks containing story content. The story content is stored on each track in a plurality of information segments. Each of the segments includes a complete message reproducible in response to the selection of the track upon which the segments are stored. Each of the information segments at any given time includes information related in real-time and content to information contained in each information segment on each track in an immediate prior time. The information is stored on the tracks in a predetermined timed sequence for providing story content varying dependent upon the tracks automatically selected during playback. The storage media also includes control code information.

Playback means facilitates playback of the story content of a selected data storage track. Track selector means, which is preferably a microprocessor and switch, reads the control code information and randomly selects and accesses one of the tracks of the storage media in response to the stored control code information for retrieving the information stored on the selected track and for enabling the playback of the retrieved information via the playback means.

In one embodiment, one of the data storage tracks includes the command codes. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes command code playback means for providing playback of the track having the command codes independently of the tracks having the story content. The temporally related data storage tracks are preferably stored on a magnetic storage media having a plurality of coextensive tracks and the playback means includes magnetic storage media reading means corresponding with each of the plurality of coextensive tracks. Alternatively, the playback means includes magnetic storage media reading means for the command code track, and at least one magnetic media storage media reading means for the coextensive tracks having the story content.

If desired, the tracks may be stored digitally and be randomly accessible. In this embodiment, the storage media is selected from the group consisting of magnetic disk, compact disk, video disk, magnetic tape, RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. In a preferred embodiment, the data storage media are analog cassette tapes and the playback means enables the removal and replacement of the storage media.

The command codes may further include memory storage commands and memory switching commands. After the microprocessor randomly selects a current track, it stores a first identification of the track being played in memory. It holds this track in memory via a memory storage command. Then, in response to a memory switching command, it switches back to the track originally associated with the first identification. By using this method a number of times in one story, certain elements, after being chosen randomly, are repeated in the story to maintain consistency. So if the story randomly begins about a little girl named Casey, for example, this information will remain constant throughout the story. If desired, the tracks that include story content may include audible or inaudible control commands for the track selector means. The microprocessor or other controller discriminates the audible or inaudible control commands from the story content.

In addition, a memory stores the branching of playback of the entire story. When the story is next played back, the memory can be used to play back the story using the stored branching, instead of randomly. A store or repeat switch initiates this memory and the playing back of the stored branching. If desired, a code is used for identifying each particular story or storage media in order to enable the storing and playback of branching of each particular story or storage media from memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration, partially in schematic, of the selection, playback, and controller portions of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration, partially in schematic, of the selection, playback, and controller portions of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1, the automatic seamless branching story-telling apparatus of the present invention uses a playback mechanism similar to those disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,947,972; 5,313,510; and 5,340,317, and in commonly owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/49,345, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. A conventional multi-track magnetic tape player 2 is utilized for retrieving audio information from a multi-track magnetic storage media 4 via multi-track playback head 6. The playback head 6 is preferably connected in conventional fashion to a conventional four channel audio amplifier 8, having one channel for each of the respective four tracks, A, B, C, D of multi-track tape 4 so as to conventionally play back the information stored on the respective audio tracks. Playback head 6 is preferably a conventional 4 channel audio playback head, with preferably equal head widths for each of the respective tracks A, B, C, D.

The output of audio amplifier 8 is preferably connected to a switch 10 which preferably incorporates a plurality of switches 12, with one switch being provided per track of multi-track tape 4. Each switch 12 is connected to the appropriate channel output of audio amplifier 8. Switches 12 are preferably conventional magnetic or electronic switches that are switched as desired by switch 10. Switches 12 are preferably connected between the output of audio amplifier 8 and a conventional audio output device, such as a speaker 14 or earphones 16, through a volume control 18. The other terminal of audio output device 14 or 16 is connected to audio amplifier 8 to complete the circuit. Thus, when one of switches 12 is closed, the output of the corresponding audio track A, B, C or D, all of which are being provided to audio amplifier 8 by multi-track playback head 6, is selectively provided to audio output device 14 or 16 to be heard by a child or other user.

Switch 10 is preferably a relatively simple logic circuit for receiving the output of controller 20. and for switching to one of the audio tracks on the basis of the signal from controller 20. For example, controller 20 may utilize a two-bit output which is received by switch 10 and by which switch 10 selects from amongst the 4 channels.

As described in greater detail below, the audio tracks include messages having audible or inaudible control tones that define switching locations within the content of the messages. These tones are detected by a tone detector (decoder) 24 which generates an output signal to controller 20 when a control tone is detected. Controller 20 receives the output of tone detector 20 and randomly selects one of the four channels for switching to that channel. Controller 20 then generates commands to switch 10 to select the randomly selected one of the four channels for playback.

The multi-track tape 4 is preferably removable from the playback means 2 so that different multi-track tapes 4 having different stories stored thereon may be inserted and used in the apparatus of the invention. This makes it possible to record a library of prerecorded media covering a wide array of topics. For example, as described below, the media might contain stories regarding one type or theme, and other media containing other types or themes of stories. The removable media are preferably multi-track magnetic tape cartridges, but may be any removable multi-track media such as, for example, magnetic disk, optical disk, or other media appropriate for the present application. These removable multi-track tapes are preferably contained in rigid cartridges for convenient removal and replacement.

The apparatus of the present invention may comprise other embodiments. Rather than utilizing a multi-track magnetic tape or other removable media, the system might use any appropriate data storage means for containing various stories, provided that the information stored thereon may be separated into tracks. For example, a conventional magnetic disk, CD or other optical disk, or even hardware, such as RAM, PROM, ROM or EPROM, could be used to store the information. The information data could be physically stored on individual disk tracks, or the data could be organized so that each track of information is randomly accessible as separate or separable files on the disk or storage media. In conjunction with a disk reader appropriate for the type of disk drive in use, or a microprocessor or microcontroller for reading the digital data from a hardware memory device, the information stored on the individual tracks could be output to a user of the system in a real-time or near real-time fashion.

When utilizing a disk or other physical media for storing digital data, it might be advantageous for a microprocessor to be provided for the purpose of first reading the various tracks into a memory cache, which would allow faster access to the story information. Thus, during operation in this instance, the microprocessor would read the serial track information from the disk into parallel tracks in cache memory in advance, while substantially simultaneously reading the track data from cache to memory to an output device. As the cache memory were depleted, it would be refilled from disk or other media by the processor. The microprocessor could be used in this instance also to provide switching functions.

Output to the user could be by various devices, depending on the type of media used. For example, if the stored stories on the multi-track media are in digital form, i.e. CD-ROM, magnetic disk, DAT, the processor or other means could convert the digital information streams to analog signals for output to conventional headphones or could be output directly to digital headphones. It is anticipated that the system of the present invention could employ a large variety of multi-media inputs and outputs as such technologies develop. It is further anticipated that any storage means capable of storing and substantially simultaneously retrieving story data could be employed by the present invention. Whatever multi-track device is employed, it should preferably contain one track for each of the number of tracks to be used in the story. In a preferred embodiment, four equal bandwidth tracks are used. It may, however, be advantageous to utilize a larger number of tracks to obtain more complex stories, or a smaller number if cost is a factor.

If desired, the four channel audio amplifier could be replaced by a conventional one channel amplifier which amplifies only the one selected channel. As discussed below, if one channel is to be reserved for control commands, a conventional one channel amplifier could be used to read the control commands, while another conventional one channel amplifier could be used to select from amongst the remaining channels for the story.

The information is stored on each track in a plurality of reproducible information segments, each of which comprises a story message reproducible by the playback device directly in response to the automatic selection of the track upon which the segments are stored. Each of the information segments on the various tracks contain messages, music, sound effects, etc. The messages contained on the various tracks are related in real-time to the time-synchronized messages on the other tracks so that a story may be told as the media is played back. As the controller automatically randomly switches between the tracks at the switch points denoted by the tones on the tape, which may occur between paragraphs, sentences, and mid-sentence, random storytelling outcomes are routed to the output device. By perfectly synchronizing the channels, such switching may occur completely seamlessly. On the randomly selected track at the time at which the switch occurred, is an information segment whose content corresponds with the information on the prior track on the prior channel, but may be different from the information on the other tracks at the current time. The various story messages, may generally be contained on any or all of the various tracks provided that they are synchronized properly so as to retain a timed relationship.

In order to understand the story-telling system of the invention, several examples will now be provided. Example 1 illustrates a relatively simple story. In this example, all four channels of the media are used to store the stories. Audible or inaudible tones are present on the channels in the positions labeled "BRANCH CODE." If the tones are audible, they may be embedded within the background music or sound effects. The tones are preferably of a sufficiently high or low frequency and/or a specified duration so as to effectively be inaudible and not interfere with the story content. The command codes may be either analog or digital signals. These tones are detected by tone detector 24, which causes controller 20, which is preferably a microprocessor, to randomly switch to one of the channels. If the current channel is the randomly selected channel, no switch will occur. Controller 20 generates a binary output corresponding to the desired channel. Switch 10 receives the binary signal from controller 20 and selects a channel from channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 corresponding to binary outputs 00-11. As shown in the example, in addition to random switches, non-random switching may occur as well. Controller 20 is equipped with any appropriate type of memory for performing memory-type functions. In Example 1, "Branch Type X" denotes a command to the microprocessor to place in the indicated memory the Channel No. (e.g. X-1 stores the Channel No. in memory #1) of the channel being played at the time of the branch. Branch Type "Y" is a random branch to any of the four channels. Branch type "Z" is a branch to the Channel indicated in the associated memory (e.g., Branch Type Z-1 will branch to the Channel No. stored in memory No. 1.)

EXAMPLE 1

    __________________________________________________________________________                                         SWITCH                                     Channel 1                                                                               Channel 2                                                                               Channel 3                                                                               Channel 4                                                                               COMMANDS                                   __________________________________________________________________________     (music up and                                                                           (music up and                                                                           (music up and                                                                           (music up and                                                                           inaudible tones or                         under)   under)   under)   under)   digital commands                                                               embedded in                                Once upon a time                                                                        Once upon a time a                                                                      Once upon a time a                                                                      Once upon a time a                                                                      audio on                                   a little girl named                                                                     little girl named                                                                       little girl named                                                                       little girl named                                                                       Channels 1-4 at                            Rebecca was taking                                                                      Rebecca was taking                                                                      Rebecca was taking                                                                      Rebecca was taking                                                                       BRANCH                                    a walk behind her                                                                       a walk behind her                                                                       a walk behind her                                                                       a walk behind her                                                                       CODE !points                               house.   house.   house.   house.                                               BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Y                              Rebecca was 6                                                                           Rebecca was 7                                                                           Rebecca was 8                                                                           Rebecca was 9                                       years old                                                                               years old                                                                               years old                                                                               years old                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type X-1                            and was wearing a                                                                       and was wearing a                                                                       and was wearing a                                                                       and was wearing a                                   yellow dress.                                                                           pink dress.                                                                             polka dot dress                                                                         white dress.                                        She walked and                                                                          She walked and                                                                          She walked and                                                                          She walked and                                      walked and                                                                              walked and                                                                              walked and                                                                              walked and                                          suddenly realized                                                                       suddenly realized                                                                       suddenly realized                                                                       suddenly realized                                   that she was lost in                                                                    that she was lost in                                                                    that she was lost in                                                                    that she was lost in                                the woods behind                                                                        the woods behind                                                                        the woods behind                                                                        the woods behind                                    her home. These                                                                         her home. These                                                                         her home. These                                                                         her home. These                                     were very large                                                                         were very large                                                                         were very large                                                                         were very large                                     woods and her                                                                           woods and her                                                                           woods and her                                                                           woods and her                                        BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Y                              mother told her                                                                         father told her                                                                         father told her                                                                         older brother told                                  never to go in there.                                                                   never to go in there.                                                                   never to go in                                                                          her never to go in                                  She walked and                                                                          She walked and                                                                          there. She walked                                                                       there. She walked                                   walked and became                                                                       walked and became                                                                       and walked and                                                                          and walked and                                      more and more lost.                                                                     more and more lost.                                                                     became more and                                                                         became more and                                                       more lost.                                                                              more lost.                                          Rebecca jumped                                                                          Rebecca jumped    Rebecca jumped                                      when she heard a                                                                        when she heard a                                                                        Rebecca jumped                                                                          when she heard a                                    large thunder clap                                                                      large thunder clap                                                                      when she heard a                                                                        large thunder clap                                  (thunder sound                                                                          (thunder sound                                                                          large thunder clap                                                                      (thunder sound                                      effect). She looked                                                                     effect). She looked                                                                     (thunder sound                                                                          effect). She looked                                 up and saw dark                                                                         up and saw dark                                                                         effect). She looked                                                                     up and saw dark                                     clouds. Rebecca                                                                         clouds. Rebecca                                                                         up and saw dark                                                                         clouds. Rebecca                                     knew it was going                                                                       knew it was going                                                                       clouds. Rebecca                                                                         knew it was going                                   to storm soon. She                                                                      to storm soon. She                                                                      knew it was going                                                                       to storm soon. She                                  had to get back                                                                         had to get back                                                                         to storm soon. She                                                                      had to get back                                     home soon (sound                                                                        home soon (sound                                                                        had to get back                                                                         home soon (sound                                    effect-more                                                                             effect-more                                                                             home soon(sound                                                                         effect-more                                         thunder).                                                                               thunder).                                                                               effect-more                                                                             thunder).                                                             thunder).                                                     BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type X-2                            Suddenly, she saw a                                                                     Suddenly, she saw a                                                                     Suddenly, she saw                                                                       Suddenly, she saw                                   cute little squirrel.                                                                   cute little rabbit.                                                                     a cute little white                                                                     a cute little owl.                                                    rabbit. Can you                                              Can you help me                                                                         Can you help me                                                                         help me get home                                                                        Can you help me                                     get home Rebecca                                                                        get home Rebecca                                                                        Rebecca asked the                                                                       get home Rebecca                                    asked the squirrel?                                                                     asked the rabbit?                                                                       white rabbit?                                                                           asked the owl?                                      "Sure can"said the                                                                      "Sure can"said the                                                                      "Sure can"said the                                                                      "Sure can"said the                                  squirrel(sound                                                                          rabbit(sound effect                                                                     white rabbit(sound                                                                      owl(sound effect                                    effect of thunder                                                                       of thunder and                                                                          effect of thunder                                                                       of thunder and                                      and rain). Just then                                                                    rain). Just then it                                                                     and rain). Just then                                                                    rain). Just then it                                 it began to rain and                                                                    began to rain and                                                                       it began to rain and                                                                    began to rain and                                   storm.   storm.   storm.   storm.                                               BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-2                            The squirrel began                                                                      The rabbit began to                                                                     The white rabbit                                                                        The owl began to                                    to run for a tree but                                                                   run for a hole but                                                                      began to run under                                                                      fly away but yelled                                 yelled back, "go on                                                                     yelled, "go on                                                                          a log but yelled                                                                        back, "go on                                        straight until you                                                                      straight until you                                                                      back, "go on                                                                            straight until you                                  come to a big oak                                                                       come to a big oak                                                                       straight until you                                                                      come to a big oak                                   tree near a                                                                             tree near a                                                                             come to a big oak                                                                       tree near a                                          BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           tree near a                                                                              BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type X-3                            waterfall.                                                                              babbling brook                                                                           BRANCH CODE!                                                                           broken fence.                                                         stream.                                                      Turn left and that's                                                                    Turn left and that's                                                                             Turn left and that's                                the way out of the                                                                      the way out of the                                                                      Turn left and that's                                                                    the way out of the                                  woods and back to                                                                       woods and back to                                                                       the way out of the                                                                      woods and back to                                   your home."(sound                                                                       your home."(sound                                                                       woods and back to                                                                       your home."(sound                                   effects rain and                                                                        effects rain and                                                                        your home."(sound                                                                       effects rain and                                    wind)    wind)    effects rain and                                                                        wind)                                                BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-2                            Rebecca started to                                                                      Rebecca started to                                                                      Rebecca started to                                                                      Rebecca started to                                  go the way the                                                                          go the way the                                                                          go the way the                                                                          go the way the                                      squirrel had said.                                                                      rabbit had said.                                                                        white rabbit had                                                                        owl had said.                                                said.    said.                                                        She ran and ran. It                                                                     She ran and ran. It                                                                              She ran and ran. It                                 was getting colder                                                                      was getting colder                                                                      She ran and ran. It                                                                     was getting colder                                  and suddenly she                                                                        and suddenly she                                                                        was getting colder                                                                      and suddenly she                                    fell and splashed in                                                                    fell and splashed in                                                                    and suddenly she                                                                        fell and splashed in                                the mud below.                                                                          the mud below.                                                                          fell and splashed in                                                                    the mud below.                                                        the mud below.                                                BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-1                            Her yellow dress                                                                        Her pink dress was                                                                      Her polka dot dress                                                                     Her white dress                                     was ruined                                                                              ruined   was ruined                                                                              was ruined                                          but she wanted to                                                                       but she wanted to                                                                       but she wanted to                                                                       but she wanted to                                   get home so she got                                                                     get home so she got                                                                     get home so she got                                                                     get home so she got                                 up and kept                                                                             up and kept                                                                             up and kept                                                                             up and kept                                         running. running. running. running.                                             BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-3                            Finally she got to                                                                      Finally she got to                                                                      Finally she got to                                                                      Finally she got to                                  the big oak tree                                                                        the big oak tree                                                                        the big oak tree                                                                        the big oak tree                                    near the waterfall                                                                      near the babbling                                                                       near the stream.                                                                        near the broken                                              brook.            fence.                                               BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type X-4                            She turned left                                                                         She turned left                                                                         She turned right                                                                        She turned right                                     BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-2                            as the squirrel had                                                                     as the rabbit had                                                                       as the white rabbit                                                                     as the owl had said                                 said     said     had said                                                      BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                            BRANCH CODE!                                                                           Branch Type Z-4                            and finally came to                                                                     and finally came to                                                                     and she got more                                                                        and she got more                                    the path that led her                                                                   the path that led her                                                                   and more lost. Had                                                                      and more lost. Had                                  back home out of                                                                        back home out of                                                                        she made a                                                                              she made a                                          the woods and                                                                           the woods and                                                                           mistake? She                                                                            mistake? She                                        Rebecca lived                                                                           Rebecca lived                                                                           walked and walked                                                                       walked and walked                                   happily ever after.                                                                     happily ever after.                                                                     and to this day                                                                         and to this day                                     (music close)                                                                           (music close)                                                                           Rebecca is out                                                                          Rebecca is out                                                        there somewhere,                                                                        there somewhere,                                                      lost in the woods.                                                                      lost in the woods.                                  END      END      (music close)                                                                           (music close)                                                         END      END                                                 __________________________________________________________________________

Example 2 demonstrates a more complex example. In this example, three tracks, i.e., tracks 1-3 are used to store the story information. The fourth track, i.e., track 4 is used to store command code information. As shown in FIG. 2, a microprocessor 26 is utilized to read track switching instructions from the audio tape itself in order to perform random or non-random switching at the desired switch points. In this embodiment, a conventional one channel amplifier preferably reads audible control commands for the microprocessor from Channel 4, while another conventional one channel amplifier plays back the selected one of the remaining channels for playing the story content. In order to perform the "Replay" function discussed below, microprocessor 26 is equipped with non-volatile RAM or other memory, which is preferably either static, i.e., it will not be lost when power to the system is turned off, or is connected to the power source so that the memory will be retained until the battery is drained. If the "Replay" function is not used, any appropriate type of memory may be employed. For this example, "SFX" denotes a special effect. Accordingly, SFX A denotes a different sound effect than SFX B. "MUSIC" denotes the background music on the track. Thus, MUSIC A is different from MUSIC B. In connection with the Replay function, at the beginning of the track with the command codes a TAPE ID code is preferably stored. The TAPE ID is unique to each story tape and is used by the microprocessor to identify the tape. "Branch Type X" denotes a command to the microprocessor to place in the indicated memory (e.g. X-1 stores the Channel No. in memory #1) the Channel No. of the channel being played at the time of the branch. Branch Type "Y" is a random branch to any of the three channels. Branch type "Z" is a branch to the Channel indicated in the associated memory (e.g., Branch Type Z-1 will branch to the Channel No. stored in memory No. 1.)

EXAMPLE 2

    __________________________________________________________________________     CHANNEL 1  CHANNEL 2  CHANNEL 3  CHANNEL 4                                     __________________________________________________________________________     MUSIC A:   MUSIC B:   MUSIC C:   TAPE ID                                       Once upon a time, a                                                                       Once upon a time, a                                                                       Once upon a time, a                                                                       Branch type X-1                               young boy named Joey                                                                      young boy named John                                                                      young boy named Mike                                     was playing at the                                                                        was playing at the                                                                        was playing at the                                       beach. It was hot and a                                                                   beach. It was hot and a                                                                   beach. It was hot and a                                  very nice day. Joey                                                                       very nice day. John                                                                       very nice day. Mike                                      went down to the ocean                                                                    went down to the ocean                                                                    went down to the ocean                                   to get a pail of water for                                                                to get a pail of water for                                                                to get a pail of water for                               a very big castle he was                                                                  a sand castle he was                                                                      a big sand castle he was                                 building. Suddenly, just                                                                  building. Suddenly, just                                                                  building. Suddenly, just                                 under the pier, Joey                                                                      under the pier, John                                                                      under the pier, Mike                                     noticed a bottle that had                                                                 noticed a bottle that had                                                                 noticed a bottle that had                                washed up on to the                                                                       washed up on to the                                                                       washed up on to the                                      beach. Joey picked up                                                                     beach. John picked up                                                                     beach. Mike picked up                                    the bottle and rubbed all                                                                 the bottle and rubbed all                                                                 the bottle and rubbed all                                the sand off the bottle.                                                                  the sand off the bottle.                                                                  the sand off the bottle.                                                                  Branch type Y                                 Suddenly red smoke                                                                        Suddenly blue smoke                                                                       Suddenly white smoke                                     came out of the bottle                                                                    came out of the bottle                                                                    came out of the bottle                                   and surrounded                                                                            and surrounded                                                                            and surrounded                                           Joey.      John.      Mike.      Branch type Z-1                               (SFX A)    (SFX B)    (SFX C).   Branch type Y (for                                                             SFX)                                          "Thank you for setting                                                                    "Thank you for setting                                                                    "Thank you for setting                                                                    Branch type Z-1                               me free" came a voice                                                                     me free" came a voice                                                                     me free" came a voice                                    from the smoke. "Who                                                                      from the smoke. "Who                                                                      from the smoke. "Who                                     are you asked Joey?                                                                       are you asked John?                                                                       are you asked Mike?                                      "I am the Genie of the                                                                    "I am the Genie of the                                                                    "I am the Genie of the                                                                    Branch type Y                                 bottle. I've been in that                                                                 bottle. I have been in                                                                    bottle. I have been in                                   bottle for 1000 years                                                                     that bottle for 100 years                                                                 that bottle for 500 years                                and you set me free.                                                                      and you set me free".                                                                     and you set me free:.                                    And now I can grant                                                                       And now I can grant                                                                       And now I can grant                                      you three wishes. Any                                                                     you three wishes. Any                                                                     you three wishes. Any                                    three wishes you desire                                                                   three wishes you desire                                                                   three wishes you desire                                  you shall have. What is                                                                   you shall have. What is                                                                   you shall have. What is                                  your first wish?"                                                                         your first wish"?.                                                                        your first wish"?.                                       Three wishes thought                                                                      Three wishes thought                                                                      Three wishes thought                                                                      Branch type Z-1                               Joey. He could have                                                                       John. He could have                                                                       Mike. He could have                                      candy, a big screen TV                                                                    Toys, a color TV in his                                                                   candy, a big screen TV                                   in his room. be a famous                                                                  room, be a famous TV                                                                      in his room, be a famous                                 movie star. or even have                                                                  star, or even have no                                                                     rock star, or even end                                   no more school| How                                                                       more school| How                                                                          school forever| How                                      could he ever decide|                                                                     could any little boy                                                                      could such a little boy                                  Finally Joey decided                                                                      ever decide| Finally                                                                      ever decide| Finally                                     what he wanted for his                                                                    John decided what he                                                                      Mike decided what he                                     first wish.                                                                               wanted for his first wish                                                                 wanted for his first wish                                "I want no more school                                                                    "I want hundreds of new                                                                   "I want the biggest TV                                   ever", yelled Joey. And                                                                   toys" John said. And                                                                      ever made" said Mike".                                   the Genie said "Your                                                                      the Genie said "your                                                                      And the Genie said                                       wish is my command. I                                                                     wish is my command. I                                                                     "your wish is my                                         will grant your wish.                                                                     will grant your wish."                                                                    command. I will grant                                                          your wish."                                              (SFX D)    (SFX E)    (SFX F)    Branch type Y                                 Suddenly it was                                                                           Suddenly John was                                                                         Suddenly, Mike was                                                                        Branch type Z-1                               Monday morning and                                                                        home surrounded by                                                                        home in his room and                                     Joey jumped out of bed                                                                    every toy he ever                                                                         right in front of him was                                only to realize he had no                                                                 imagined. He examined                                                                     a big- very big, TV set.                                 school. He could sit and                                                                  each toy. He loved it.                                                                    It was tremendous,                                       do nothing all day. He                                                                    He could play with each                                                                   Mike turned it on and                                    could read, play video                                                                    one. He had more toys                                                                     sat down to watch. He                                    games, eat, do anything                                                                   than any kid on Earth.                                                                    watched and watched.                                     he wanted to do. It was                                                                   He played with Elmo,                                                                      He watched every                                         so much fun. He                                                                           Big Bird, Nintendo. He                                                                    channel he could find.                                   watched TV all day                                                                        played darts, cards, and                                                                  After that he watched                                    Tuesday, played video                                                                     even drove an electric                                                                    every channel again. He                                  games on Wednesday,                                                                       car. He played every                                                                      watched every minute                                     took a long walk on                                                                       minute he could. All                                                                      he could. He even                                        Thursday and watched                                                                      week. Even the next                                                                       watched late into the                                    TV again on Friday.                                                                       week       night.                                                   After one more week of                                                                    After yet another week                                                                    After yet another week                                   this, Joey was getting                                                                    of playing with all these                                                                 of watching TV, Mike                                     very bored and asked                                                                      toys, John was getting                                                                    was getting bored and                                    the Genie for his second                                                                  bored and tired so he                                                                     cross-eyed so he asked                                   wish. "What do you                                                                        asked the Genie for his                                                                   the Genie for his second                                 want" asked the Genie.                                                                    second wish. "What do                                                                     wish. "What do you                                                  you want" asked the                                                                       want asked the Genie"                                               Genie.                                                              (Music D in)                                                                              (Music E in)                                                                              (Music F in)                                                                              Branch type Y                                 "I want my second wish                                                                    "I want my second wish                                                                    "I want my second wish                                   now" said the boy. And                                                                    now" said the boy. And                                                                    now" said the boy. And                                   the Genie said "your                                                                      the Genie said "your                                                                      the Genie said "your                                     wish is my command. I                                                                     wish is my command. I                                                                     wish is my command. I                                    will grant your second                                                                    will grant your second                                                                    will grant your second                                   wish. What is                                                                             wish. What is it?"                                                                        wish. What is it?"                                       it?"(Music D out)                                                                         (Music E out)                                                                             (Music F out)                                            Joey said "I want candy,                                                                  John said" I want candy,                                                                  Mike said" I want                                                                         Branch type Z-1                               hot dogs, and all the                                                                     hot dogs, and all the                                                                     candy, hot dogs, and all                                 soda I can drink."                                                                        soda I can drink.'                                                                        the soda I can drink."                                   "Easy", said the Genie                                                                    "Easy", said the Genie                                                                    "Easy", said the Genie                                   and suddenly the room                                                                     and suddenly the room                                                                     and suddenly the room                                    was filled with                                                                           was filled with                                                                           was filled with                                          chocolate. chocolate. chocolate.                                               cup cakes, jelly beans,                                                                   cup cakes, jelly beans,                                                                   cup cakes, jelly beans,                                  M&Ms, ice cream,                                                                          M&Ms, ice cream,                                                                          M&Ms, ice cream,                                         bubble gum, hot dogs,                                                                     bubble gum, hot dogs,                                                                     bubble gum, hot dogs,                                    coca cola, orange soda,                                                                   coca cola, orange soda,                                                                   coca cola, orange soda,                                  and even ice cream                                                                        and even ice cream                                                                        and even ice cream                                       sodas and banana splits.                                                                  sodas and banana splits.                                                                  sodas and banana splits.                                 Joey was so happy.                                                                        John was so happy.                                                                        Mike was so happy.                                       He never saw so much                                                                      He never saw so much                                                                      He never saw so much                                                                      Branch type Y                                 delicious food in his                                                                     delicious food in his                                                                     delicious food in his                                    life| He ate a hot dog,                                                                   life| He ate                                                                              life| He ate a hot dog,                                  washed it down with                                                                       hamburgers, washed it                                                                     washed it down with                                      coca cola, had the                                                                        down with soda, had the                                                                   Seven-up had an ice                                      banana split for dessert,                                                                 banana split for dessert,                                                                 cream sundae for                                         and had a cup cakes just                                                                  and had two cup cakes                                                                     dessert and had three                                    for fun. He was having                                                                    just for fun. He was                                                                      cup cakes just for fun.                                  the best day in his life.                                                                 having the best day in                                                                    He was having the best                                              his life.  day in his life.                                         After about an hour,                                                                      After about an hour,                                                                      After about an hour,                                                                      Branch type Z-1                               Joey began to get a                                                                       John began to get a                                                                       Mike began to get a                                      stomach ache. It was a                                                                    stomach ache. It was a                                                                    stomach ache. It was a                                   bad one. He had cramps                                                                    bad one. He had cramps                                                                    bad one. He had cramps                                   and everything. He                                                                        and everything. He                                                                        and everything. He                                       realized he had eaten                                                                     realized he had eaten                                                                     realized he had eaten                                    much too much. He                                                                         much too much. He                                                                         much too much. He                                        called for the Genie                                                                      called for the Genie                                                                      called for the Genie                                     again.     again.     again.                                                   (Music H in)                                                                              (Music I in)                                                                              (Music J in)                                                                              Branch type Y                                 The Genie appeared and                                                                    The Genie appeared and                                                                    The Genie appeared and                                   said. "Your wish is my                                                                    said. "Your wish is my                                                                    said, "Your wish is my                                   command. Are you                                                                          command. Are you                                                                          command. Are you                                         ready for your third                                                                      ready for your third                                                                      ready for your third                                     wish?      wish?      wish?                                                    (Music H OUT)                                                                             (Music I OUT)                                                                             (Music J OUT)                                            Joey thought and                                                                          John thought and                                                                          Mike thought and                                                                          Branch type Z-1                               thought. And finally                                                                      thought. And finally                                                                      thought. And finally                                     said, "yes I am. I am                                                                     said, "yes I am. I am                                                                     said, "yes I am. I am                                    ready for my third                                                                        ready for my third                                                                        ready for my third                                       wish." "Well what is it"                                                                  wish." "Well what is it"                                                                  wish." "Well what is it"                                 said the Genie. "I am                                                                     said the Genie: "I am                                                                     said the Genie. "I am                                    here and I will grant you                                                                 here and I will grant you                                                                 here and I will grant you                                your final wish."                                                                         your final wish."                                                                         your final wish."                                        Joey said, "for my final                                                                  John said, "for my final                                                                  Mike said "for my final                                  wish just make                                                                            wish, just make                                                                           wish I want money, lots                                  everything the way it                                                                     everything the way it                                                                     and lots of money"                                       was before I even met                                                                     was before I even met                                                                     "Your wish is my                                         you. I'm lonely. I have                                                                   you. I'm lonely. I have                                                                   command" said the                                        a stomach ache and I                                                                      a stomach ache and I                                                                      Genie                                                    kind       kind                                                                of miss my friends and                                                                    Miss my friends a lot,                                                                    And suddenly Mike was                                    teachers at school.                                                                       Toys are great and                                                                        surrounded by piles and                                  I appreciate everything                                                                   everything but too much                                                                   piles of money. Mike                                     you've done but I guess                                                                   is no good. So please                                                                     sat there and started to                                 I was better off before.                                                                  return my life to the way                                                                 count all his money. He                                  So please return my life                                                                  it was before I met you.                                                                  thought about his three                                  to the way it was before                                                                             wishes and how happy                                     I met you.            he thought he'd be but                                                         for now he was just                                                            sitting there counting                                                         money.                                                   "So it shall be done"                                                                     "So it shall be done"                                                                     Suddenly the phone                                       said the Genie and in a                                                                   said the Genie and in a                                                                   rang. It was his friend                                  puff of smoke and a bolt                                                                  thunderous clap of his                                                                    Shawn asking to come                                     of lightening. Joey was                                                                   hands, John was back at                                                                   over so they could play.                                 back at the beach and                                                                     the beach and the magic                                             the magic lamp was                                                                        lamp was gone forever.                                              gone forever.                                                                                        Mike thought about it                                                          and decided to stay                                                            home and count his                                                             money. After all it                                                            would take years. He                                                           hung up and went back                                                          to counting, counting,                                                         and more counting.                                       (MUSIC D CLOSE)                                                                           (MUSIC E CLOSE)                                                                           (MUSIC F CLOSE)                                                                           Branch type Y                                 __________________________________________________________________________

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus preferably includes a switch 28 connected to the microprocessor. The apparatus is preferably located within a cuddly teddy bear or other housing suitable for children. Accordingly, the switch would be located on the surface of the teddy bear, on the bear's ears, etc. Switch 28 is preferably a momentary switch that is labeled "Freeze", "Replay", or the like. During playback of a story, the microprocessor records the STORY ID of the story and preferably stores in non-volatile memory all of the branching that occurs during playback of the story. After listening to the story, the user may press this switch, at which time the branching for the STORY ID will be locked into memory. During the next playback of the story, the microprocessor will use the stored branching in playing back the particular story. This may include random branches, if desired, which may be stored in memory at the time the branch is made. If the switch is depressed after the next playback of the story using the stored branching, the branching will again be stored in memory and used during the next playback. If desired, a TAPE ID may be associated with an entire group of stories and the same switch or a different switch used to store branching for an entire tape or group of stories. It will be appreciated that the memory functions may be varied as desired to implement any desired functionality provided that sufficient memory is available.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to certain embodiments and examples, variations and modifications exist that are within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A story-telling apparatus which comprises:a storage media which comprises a plurality of temporally parallel data storage tracks containing story content, the story being stored on the temporally parallel data storage tracks in a plurality of temporally related information segments, each of the segments comprising a complete message reproducible in response to the selection of the track upon which the segments are stored, each of the information segments at any given time on a temporally parallel data storage track comprising information related in real-time and content to information contained in each information segment on each temporally parallel data storage track in an immediate prior time, the information stored on the temporally parallel data storage tracks in a predetermined timed sequence for providing story content varying dependent upon the temporally parallel data storage tracks selected during playback, the storage media further comprising random switching command codes for providing switching instructions to randomly switch between the temporally parallel data storage in order to provide random variation of the story content during playback thereof; playback means for playing back the story content of a selected data storage track and for retrieving the random switching command codes from the storage media; a code discriminator for identifying the random switching command codes retrieved from the storage media by the playback means; a controller for receiving the random switching command codes from the code discriminator and for causing the playback means to select and playback a random one of the temporally parallel data storage tracks of the storage media in response to receiving a random switching command code, the playback means retrieving the information stored on the randomly selected temporally parallel data storage track to randomly vary the playback of the story content.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the temporally parallel data storage tracks comprises the random switching command codes, the playback means further comprising random switching command code playback means for providing playback of the temporally parallel data storage track comprising the random switching command codes independently of the temporally parallel data storage tracks comprising the story content.
 3. The apparatus according to 1 wherein the temporally parallel data storage tracks are stored on a magnetic storage media having a plurality of coextensive tracks wherein the playback means comprises magnetic storage media reading means corresponding with each of the plurality of coextensive tracks.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the temporally parallel data storage tracks are stored on a magnetic storage media having a plurality of coextensive tracks wherein the playback means comprises magnetic storage media reading means for the random command code track, and at least one magnetic media storage media readings means for the coextensive temporally parallel data storage tracks comprising the story content.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the temporally parallel data storage tracks are stored digitally and are randomly accessible.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the storage media is selected from the group consisting of magnetic disk, compact disk, video disk, magnetic tape, RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the data storage media are analog cassette tapes and wherein the playback means enables the removal and replacement of the storage media.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the random switching command codes further comprise memory storage commands and memory switching commands, the apparatus further comprising means for storing a first identification of a current temporally parallel data storage track being played back in response to a memory storage command, and means for switching to the temporally parallel data storage track associated with the first identification in response to a memory switching command.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the temporally parallel data storage tracks comprising story content comprise audible or inaudible random switching command codes.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising means for discriminating the audible or inaudible random switching command codes from the story content.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the random switching command codes further comprise memory storage commands and memory switching commands, the apparatus further comprising means for storing at least a first identification of a current temporally parallel data storage track being played back in response to a memory storage command, and means for switching to the temporally parallel data storage track associated with the at least first identification in response to a memory switching command.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising memory means for storing the branching of playback of a particular story, and means for playing back the story using the stored branching.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a playback switch for initiating the means for playing back the story.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a store switch for initiating storing the branching.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising means for identifying each particular storage media, and means for playing back stored branching of a prior playback of the particular storage media. 